Ms Nayyar Hassan, septuagenarian freedom fighter and social activist, left for her heavenly abode on 17 May 2002. She was a cousin to Majaz (who is supposed to be the ‘Keats of India’) and aunt of eminent poet, Javed Akhtar. She is survived by Hassan Mahmood (the eldest son), Hassan Suroor (younger son and a noted journalist) Naz, Hina (daughters) and Prof Tahir Mehmood (son-in-law). The funeral rites were performed at Saket. A number of relatives, friends and well-wishers have deeply mourned her demise.

Maulana Abdul Ali, Qazi (Islamic judge) of Bhopal passed away on 26 May at a private hospital. He was 90 and is survived by five sons and two daughters. He was born in Uttar Pradesh and received his education from Deoband and Aligarh. For more than 30 years, he served as Qazi of Bhopal.

Abd-al-Rab, the general secretary of the Congress Minority Cell, Kumaon, was shot dead by some armed assailant on 24 May 2002. The assailants are still absconding. After the news of the assassination spread all around in the neighbourhood, his supporters started pelting stones and gutted several shops. Police have sealed the saloon in Mangal Yadav Mandi where the leader was killed. Several people have mourned his death.

Maulana Mohammed Latif, a noted Kashmiri cleric and theologian, passed away after a brief illness. He was 80. He belonged to Naqsh-Bandi cult of sufism and was buried in Barahmulah. Mohd Shafi, education minister, also participated in the funeral ceremony along with thousands of admirers. Several intellectuals, religious and social leaders have expressed their shock and concern at his sad demise.

Mazharul Haque Ansari, popularly known as Ramz Afaqui, octogenarian poet, passed away on 31 May at Aligarh. He hailed from Badayun in Uttar Pradesh. He was buried at AMU graveyard. He is survived by his widow, three daughters and a son.

Syed Waris Ali, a noted promoter of Urdu, is no more. He was popularly known as ‘Sir Syed of Kanpur.’ He was extremely affectionate, sociable and vivacious. He dedicated the best forty years of his life to teaching Urdu in the state of Uttar Pradesh. His students were from both Muslim and Hindu communities. q